Not far from Cashiers, a small town in North Carolina, a unique phenomenon takes place for a three week period twice a year. Visible for about 30 minutes late in the day, a Jackson County bear comes out of hibernation for an appreciative crowd at the Rhodes Big View Overlook. The most popular time to see the bear coincides with a peak in the area's autumn foliage. From mid-October until the first few days in November, the Shadow of the Bear appears when the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain. A much less popular time of year, the Bear makes another appearance during mid-February until early March.
   Here in the heart of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, it's easy to understand how this unusual attraction lures in so many people. Scenic wonders abound, ranging from mountain vistas and hiking trails to area waterfalls and the Village Green Park in Cashiers. Hard to find a parking space along U.S. Route 64, sightseers gather early at the overlook, not wanting to miss this rare occurrence. The bear slowly emerges from its liar, taking its time to fully take shape. Requiring full sunshine to cast a shadow, some visitors may occasionally have to wait to see the bear another day.

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